Citizen Participation Course 2009 'how to use the power of your citizens'

Participants of the training course ‘How to use the power of your citizens?’ were very enthusiastic about the programme, during which they could exchange their expertise and experience with professionals, local governors, municipal staff and resident experts from the Netherlands.

On study visits to Amsterdam, and developing areas in Alphen aan de Rijn and The Hague they learnt about innovative ways to involve citizens in neighbourhood projects. During the week they also worked on a 'Back Home Action Plan' to ensure implementation back home. Very popular were the visits to Father Centre in Laak, a local meeting place for men with computer facilities, workshops, kitchen and social events, and the ‘Give away shop’, where residents can bring and take away furniture, clothes, toys, and other small equipments.

• "Excellent preparation"
• "I certainly recommend The Hague Academy for Local Governance to professionals that also work in the field of citizen participation and local governance"
• "The study visits were very good and eye opening"
• "The theories offered during this training are practical to our daily work"
• "This training provided me with new innovative ways on citizen engagement"
• "The knowledge I gained through this training will be used to build a new perspective on social problems"